Apparatus for manufacture of sheet material



Aug. 23, 1932. H. w. BROWN v 1,873,279

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF SHEET MATERIAL Filed Dec-. 27, 1950Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE T HORATIO 'W. BROWN,01: CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BEMIS INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED,OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE APPARATUS FORMANUFACTURE OF SHEET MATERIAL Application filed December 27, 1980.Serial No. 505,052.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for the manufacture ofsheet material which is characterized by pressrolls between which thesheet or mat passes dura ing its manufacture. More particularly thisinvention is applicable to a machine for manufacturing artificial lumberfrom strands of fibrous material, such as excelsior which are boundtogether in a reticulated mass by a suitable binder, such as'anoxychloride cement.

The present invention more particularly provides a drivin arrangementand means generally to facilitate the treatment of fibrous material withthe binder, and to drive the press rolls while aiding in urging themtoward each other and thus applying pressure to the moving mat. Thecopending application of Cyrus J. Taylor and Horatio W. Brown, SerialNo. 345,077, filed March 7 1929, illustrates a machine of this generaltype wherein the excelsior mat is pressed between successive pairs ofrolls and a liquid binder is fed thereto before it asses between thelast pair of rolls, which a 0rd the highest degree of compression. Asdisclosed in that application, springs are provided to urgethelast pairof press rolls toward each other, and yet to permit slight relativemove- 3" ment therebetween, in response to slight variations in thethickness of the excelsior mat passing between these rolls.

The present invention provides an improved type of drive means which isnot only effective 111 causing proper rotation of the rolls, but alsopermits their relative movement and at the same time aids the springs orother yieldable means which tend to urge the rolls toward each other andare efiective in applying pressure to the mat. For this purpose Ipreferably provide a drive shaft having worms thereon engaging gearssecured to'the ends of the rollers, the worms being arranged so thatdriving of the rolls will continue despite variation in. their center tocenter distance, and also being arranged so that they are eflectiveintending to urge the rolls toward each other. For this purpose the wormsthat drive the upper and lower rolls have op osite pitches, as forexample, there may be a ri ht-hand thread upon the upper worm and aeft-hand threadupon the lower Worm. Furthermore, in order to preventundesirable leakage of the binder about the press rolls, 1 preferablyprovide a novel type of press rolls which include circumferentialgrooves to receive any surplus binder that otherwise mi ht be squeezedout at the ends of the re is and wasted.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view with parts omitted, showing in side elevation a paratusfor use in the manufacture'of arti cial lumber; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an end portion of one of the rolls shownin Fig. 1, and parts associated therewith.

The apparatus selected for illustration comprises a frame indicatedgenerally at 10, which provides supports for a series of compacting andcompressing feed rolls 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17, preferably spaced oneabove the other in successive pairs, substantially as shown, fortreating loose material such as the mat 18 which may be composed ofreticulated strands of fibrousmaterial, as excelsior. Up

. per and lower traveling belts 19 and 21 are arranged tooperate'overend rollers 22 and 23 which are so spaced and positionedwith respect to the rolls 11 and 12 of the first pair, that the adjacentruns of these belts may be effective for delivering the mat into thebite of these rolls. The rolls of the succeeding pairs are likewiselocated to receive the mat from the preceding pair of rolls, in orderprogressively to compact and compress the same on its passage throughthe series of rolls. A traveling conveyor 24 may also be provided forcarrying the mat away from the rolls 16 ll ride cement, may bedischarged from this spraypipe and distributed thereby throughout themat as the latter passes to the rolls 13 and 14. An open trough orcontainer 27 extends beneath the rolls for receiving any excess of thecementitious material which may fall from the mat. The binder socollected may be returned to the spray pipe and used again, thusconserving the supply of this rather expensive material.

In an apparatus of this character it is highly desirable that thereatest compression of the matshould be e ected at the final compressionstage, as between rolls 16 and 17. More power, therefore, is required tooperate these rolls, and greater care should also be exercised at thispoint to provide adequate compression and yet avoid excess pressures onthe thicker portions of the mat. Better results can be obtained bysupporting these rolls for relative movement toward and from each otherand causing them to exert substantially the same uniform pressure on themat or other material passing therebetween, even though this materialmay vary considerably in thickness or in compressibility.

For accomplishing these desirable results there is rovided a verticalshaft 28 which is rotata ly supported in upper and lower bearings 29 and31 carried by the frame. Power is transmitted from this shaft to therolls by means of driving gearing comprising, in the present instance,driving members 32 and 33 in the form of worms of opposite pitch, whichare spaced along the shaft for engagement with driven members in theform of worm wheels 34 and 36. The worm wheel 34' is fast on the. end ofthe upper roll 16,

' while the other worm wheel is fast on the lower roll of this pair.Power may be trans mitted to the shaft 28 from a horizontal shaftslidable vertical y in a slot 41 formed in a block 42 carried by anyfixed portion of the apparatus. The slot 41 is so disposed as to guidethese movable bearings for movement in a direction substantiallyparallel to the axis of the driving worm 32, so that the worm ge'arinoperating this roll will remain in meshurmg movement of the-roll towardand from the other roll 17 A'spring 43 may also be disposed between theupper end of ,ciently to remove an each of the slots 41 and the bearingdisposed therein for urging the bearing and the upper roll downwardly,While the lower roll of this pair may also be mounted for bodilymovement in similar manner this is usually unnecessary, and thereforethis roll has been shown as journaled in fixed bearings 44. It will alsobe evident that the preceding rolls 11, 12, 13 and 14 may be operated ina like manner should this be desired, but it is found that satisfactoryresults are obtained by supporting these rolls in fixed bearings (notshown) and transmitting power to at least one roll of each pair, as tothe lower rolls 12 and 14 through a chain 46 which operates over asprocket 47 carried by the lower roll 17 and over similar sprockets,(not shown) carried by the rolls to be driven. Although this driving andoperating mechanism has been described only with reference to one end ofthe rolls, it will be understood that like mechanisms may be provided ateach end of these rolls for operating the same, said mechanisms beingoperable in synchronism through common drive shafts.

In order to prevent the liquid cementitious material from spraying overthe rolls and working out over the sides of the machine, side boards 48are disposed longitudinally alon the sides of this apparatus and areprovided with openings which fit about the outer ends of the rolls. IEach roll is preferably provided with one or more circumferentialgrooves 49 dis osed adjacent its ends, but in a position to within theside boards 48. As the liquid spreads lengthwise of the roll, it iscollected and retained by the grooves 49 and thereby prevented fromworking out about the ends of these rolls.

In the operation of the apparatus it will be observedthat the materialto be treated, such as the mat 18, is delivered by the travelling belts19 and 21 .into the bight of rolls 11 and 12 and passes through thesucceeding pairs of rolls being compressed and compacted in passingthrough each pair. Furthermore, after the cementitious material isapplied by the spray pipe 6, the succeeding rolls function to force thisbinder throughout the mat and to compress the mat suifiexcess of thebinder, thereby effecting a rm bond between the reticulated fiberscomposing the same time avoiding waste of the cemen- .titious material.o

As poweris delivered through theshaft 28, it will be observed that asthe worms 32 the mat, and at and 33 are of opposite pitch, the thrust ofthese worms will be substantially equalized. Furthermore, as this shaftis dis osed approximately normal to the path 0 material passing betweenthese rolls and the worms engage the worm wheels adjacent the materialreceiving sides of the rolls, it will be seen that the driving torquetends to move the rolls toward each other. This makes it possible to usea smaller spring 43, than could otherwise be employed, and. thus to thisextent eliminates the effect of the spring Serial No. 509,081, whichproduces a substantially constant and unvarying pressure on thesebearings. Moreover, as thicker portions of the mat are encountered, theworm wheel 34 of the upper roll may roll over the driving worm in thesame manner that a pinion might move along a rack, and thus relativemovement of these rolls may take place without disengaging the drivingmechanism, while at the same time the driving torque is constantlyeffective for tending to efi'ect relative movement so as to cause therolls to move toward each other.

As the upper and lower rolls constitute in effect, cooperatingtravelling surfaces it will be understood that in some modifications,

either or both of these rolls may be replaced by a travelling beltofsome approved type, preferably having means for reinforcing the 4material engaging run thereof so that it may present a relativelyrigidand un ielding travelling surface to the material. bviously where atravelling belt is employed it may also be in the form of a hingeconveyor section or it may be bodily movable toward and from thematerial to be treated. As these specific features of construction arewell known in the art they are'only briefly referred to here, for it isclear that a person skilled in this art when informed by this all)specification would be able readily to adapt such constructions andarrangements for use in an apparatus embodying the present invention. 1

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall for supportmg the rolls for relatlvemovewithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. The combination. with rolls spaced for feeding materialtherebetween, and means for supporting the rolls for relative movementtoward and from each other, of means fordrivin the rolls in oppositedirections and for utilizing the driving torque for tending to effectrelative movement of the rolls towardeach other. a

2. The combination with rolls spaced for feeding material therebetween.and means for supporting the rolls for relative movement toward and fromeach other, of means fordriving the rolls in opposite directions and forutilizing the driving torque for tending to effect relative movement ofthe rolls toward each other, and other means tending I thereby.

to efiect relative movement of the rolls toward each other.

3. The combination of a pair of rolls arranged for feeding materialtherebetween and driving means therefor, said driving means comprising ashaft normal to the path of the driving the rolls in opposite directionsand for utilizing the driving torque for tending to effect relativemovement of the rolls to- I ward each other, means providing forrelative movement of the rolls away from each other in response topressure of material therebetween while maintaining the driving meanseffective, and .other means tending to effect relativ movement of therolls toward each other. 1

5. The combination with a feed roll, and means for supporting the rollfor movement toward and from the path of'material' to be fed, of meansfor driving the roll and for utilizing the driving torque for tending tomove the roll toward the material being fed 6. The combination withrolls spaced for feeding material therebetween, and means for supportingthe rolls for relative movea ment toward and from each other, of drivinggearin comprisin a driven member fast on eac roll, and driving membersengageable withthe driven members at points ad acent the materialreceiving sides of the rolls, whereby the driving torque may beefiective for tending to cause relative movement of the rolls towardeach other.

7. The combination with rolls spaced for feeding material 'therebetween,and means for supporting the rolls for relative move-' ment toward andfrom each other, of driving gearing comprising a driven member fast oneach roll, drivin members engageable with the driven m m. .e points a jcent the material receiving sides of the rolls so that the drivingtorque may be effective for tending to cause relative movement of therolls toward each other, and means for maintainin the driving and drivenmembers in positive driving engagement during relative movement of therolls toward an from each other.

, receiving side of this roll so that the driving torque may be utilizedfor urging the roll toward the material.

10. The combination of means providing a relativel rigid travellinsurface, a feed roll space from this travdlling surface for cooperatingtherewith to feed material, movable bearings for supporting the feedroll, driving gearing for operatin the feed roll comprlsing a drivenmember ast on the feed roll, a driving member engaging the driven memberat a point adjacent the material receiving side of the roll so that thedriving torque may be utilized for-urging the roll toward thetravellingsurface, and means for guidin the movable bearings formovement through a predetermined path, all points of which aresubstantially e uidistant from the axis of the driving mem er of thedriving gearing whereby the driving and driven members ma remain indriving engagement during bodi y movement of the feed roll toward andfrom the traveling surface.

11. The combination of rolls spaced for feeding material therebetween, aworm wheel fast on each roll, a shaft disposed approximately normal tothe path of material passing between the rolls and adjacent the materialreceiving sides of the rolls, worms of opposite pitch fast on the shaftand spaced therealong to mesh with the worm wheels for driving thelatter so that the thrust of the worms will be substantially equalizedand the driving torque may be utilized for ur 'ng the rolls toward eachother, bearings br supporting the rolls, the bearings for at least oneof the rolls being movable, and means for guiding the movable bearin sfor movement in a direction substantia ly parallel to the axis of theshaft for maintaining the gearing in mesh during bodily movement of thisroll. 7

12. The comb'nation of olls spaced for feeding material therebetween, aworm wheel fast on each roll, a shaft disposed approximately normal tothe path of material passing between the rolls and adjacent thematetherealong vent the latter from wor rial receiving sides of therolls, worms of op posite pitch fast on the shaft and spaced to meshwith the worm wheels for driving the latter so that the thrust of the'worms will be substantially equalized and the driving torque ma beutilized for urging the rolls towar each other, bearings for supportingthe rolls, the bearings for at least one of the rolls being movable,means for guiding the movable bear ings for movement in a directionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the shaft for maintaining thegearing in mesh during movement of this roll, and resilient means forurging the movable bearings toward the path of material passing betweenthe rolls. 13. Means for compacting and bonding loose materialcomprising rolls spaced for. feeding material therebetween, means forapplying a liquid binder to the material as it passes to these rolls,side boards having openings fitting the ends of the rolls, andmeanscarried by the'rolls at points within and adjacent the side boards forretaining the liquid binder to prevent the latter from working throu hthe openings in the side boards.

14. Means for compacting and bonding loose material comprising rollsspaced for feeding material therebetween, means for applying a liquidbinder'to the material as it passes to these rolls, side boards havingopenings fitting the ends of the rolls, the

rolls having one or more circumferential grooves disposed within and adjacent the side boards for collecting the liqplid binder to preng throughthe openinlgs in the side boards. 1

15. cans for compacting and bonding loose material comprising rollsspaced for feeding material therebetween, means for applying a liquidbinder to the material as it passes tov the rolls, and means carried bythe rolls adjacent the ends thereof for collecting the liquid binder toprevent the latter from spreading over the ends of the rolls.

16. Means for compacting and bonding loose material comprising rollsspaced'for feeding material therebetween, means for supporting the rollsfor relative bodily movement toward and from eachother, means forapplying a liquid binder ,to the material as it passes to the rolls,means for driving the rolls and for utilizing the driving torque forurging the rolls toward each other and squeezing excess binder out, ofthe material,

and means carried by each roll adjacent the ends thereof for collectingthe liquid binder to prevent the latter from spreading over the outerends of the rolls.

17. Means for compacting and bonding loose material comprising rollsspaced for feeding material therebetween, means for supporting the rollsfor relative bodily movement toward and from each other, means fordriving the rollsand for utilizing the driving torque for urging therolls toward each other, means for applying a liquid binder to thematerial as it passes to the rolls, and side boards having openingsfitting over the ends 5 of the rolls, each roll having one or moreoincumferential grooves disposed adjacent the ends thereof and, Withinthe side boards for collecting the liquid binder to prevent the latterfrom passing through the openings in 10 the side boards.

Signed by me' at Boston, Massaehusetts, this 23rd day of December, 1930.'HORATIO W. BROWN.

